Disciples in Beijing: Thoughts on Discipleship Issues and Reentry Come and join in this much needed conversation about how we develop disciples of Jesus and its impact on their transition to the work force and/or back home. Lisa and Leiton will also share about their recent visits to Beijing and Singapore and times with returnees.

Some Things to Consider… Over the last few years, overseas Chinese students have been returning to China at a faster rate than ever, according to officials of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS).

Chinese international graduates and returnees emerging as a strategic people group Chinese students studied overseas and returned 1978 – 2013 > 3 million > 1.4 million Source: China Statistical Yearbooks, China Educational Online

Most returns happened in last 5 years 5 Number of returnees to China 000 Source: China Statistical Yearbooks, People’s Daily Three times as many graduates returned in the last 5 years than the preceding three decades

We estimate that 21,760 returnee Christians were “lost” in the last 12 months (2013). Every year the number increases Returning to China* Report given by Dr. Bullington at Overseas Committee on Returnees April 2014, Birmingham, UK

Returning to China We estimate that only 15-25% of these new believers will ever commit to a church or fellowship group in China (2013)

Person A– Our Beijing host, Elly, a Singaporean former international student (of many years ago) leads a small group where a few returnees attend. She was surprised that one Christian returnee did not know much about her faith. She was not even sure she really became a Christian.

Person B grew in her faith while away from home and continues to witness in her workplace upon return. She wants to serve other returnees in her country who are having a hard time transitioning. Her Australian experience through OCF (Overseas Christian Fellowship) allowed her to lead and grow in ministry with others.

. 50 th Anniversary of Overseas Christian Fellowship 2009 in Malaysia

C - Other Returnees we met briefly (Beijing)were plugged in churches and are finding their new home and place of service (reentry was a continuing discipleship). Others who were Christians (Singapore) prior to going oversees returned with jobs waiting for them and a home church to receive them.

Han-Tao, a former international student is on the staff of BICF and is focusing on serving returnees

The 3-self government approved Church Woman pastor of the English congregation of 1,000 people, many are returnees. One of their pastors was a Fuller graduate

Person D - a very mature and older returnee who had a clear call and vision for a place of service back home. Served widely while away from home. (“Ideal” Returnee)

A B and C D Questions: 1.What was missing? 2.What can be done before returning home? Questions: 1.What experiences, while away from home, helped in their discipleship and reentry? 2.What connection was made upon return? Questions: 1.How long was the person away? 2.What kind of growth opportunities did the person have? 3.Where and how did he develop a call and vision?

also cited the following reasons* why there is a very low rate of effective reentry for Chinese student who became a Christian overseas: Dr. Bullington also cited the following reasons* why there is a very low rate of effective reentry for Chinese student who became a Christian overseas: Nearly all return alone No training or preparation before returning No introduction to Christians after arriving back home No help with reverse culture shock, workplace challenges, family opposition No understanding of how to live as Christians in the Chinese context

Discipleship, put simply, is a process that grows out of a commitment to be a life-long follower of Jesus, to grow in Christ-likeness through the power of the Holy Spirit, the study of His Word, involvement in Christian community/church, and engagement and service in the world.

Significant International Flow of Chinese Students and Graduates 25 > 400,000 > 300,000 Source: China Statistical Yearbooks, China Educational Online Annual International Flow

Pace of Going Overseas and Returning Accelerating 26 Source: Unesco, China Statistical Yearbooks, China Educational Online Students who went overseas 000 Students who returned 000 More graduates returned in the last three years than the 3 decade before

Vertical Jump of Returnees since Source: China Statistical Yearbooks, China Educational Online Number of Returnees per Year 000 CAGR > 40%